United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says a Jamaican national is among 22 convicted criminals arrested during a three-day fugitive enforcement operation in that country.

According to a CMC report, ICE said officers arrested a total of 27 individuals; seven immigration fugitives who ignored lawful orders of removal, eight individuals who illegally re-entered the United States after being deported and 12 other immigration violators.

"It's a felony for someone to re-enter the United States after being deported, which if convicted, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison," ICE said, noting that, of the total 27 arrested, 22 had criminal histories, including assault, battery, burglary, child endangerment, counterfeiting, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, heroin possession, prostitution, resisting arrest and theft.

It said those arrested include a 57-year-old Jamaican, who was arrested on June 5, 'pursuant to an outstanding order of deportation'.

habitual offender

ICE did not name the Jamaican, but said he is "an aggravated felon, convicted of cocaine distribution, and a habitual offender".

Besides Jamaica, ICE said the 24 men and three women arrested during the operation were from Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico and Nepal.

"ICE will continue to arrest criminal aliens who have ignored an immigration judge's order to leave the country," said Dorothy Herrera-Niles, field office director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) team.

"Ultimately, these operations help improve public safety by removing criminals from our streets and from our country," she added.